It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Fort Fisher State Historic Site gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Kure Beach, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with.”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed,”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“I'm a beginner with the company. You must be patient when applying and beautiful things”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We”
“I contacted Shawn when my mother returned home from the hospital. There are so many”
“Watching your parents age is an emotional experience. My mother has suffered from emphysema since”
“Other Navigation through the process of finding a Memory Care Facility for my husband. The Owner.”
“Phenomenal services providing peace of mind during difficult times when your elderly loved ones need”
“I could not be happier with this service. I schedule care in 15 minute or”
“I Love Always Best Care, we have an amazing team and I am lucky to”
“I am a past client of this provider Staff helped guide and navigate options for my”
“I am a past client of this provider ABC caregivers took care of my 93 yr”
“ABC caregivers took care of my 93 yr old father from when he came out”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by”
“We recently had to move my Dad from one senior care center to another. It”
“Oh my goodness! I was at the very bottom of my rope with no where”
“I started with Always Best Care in October of 2018 and they have been fabulous”
“Other Nurses aide care my elderly parent receives is excellent. Aides all well trained, caring, professional,”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best went above and beyond to help”
“I am a current client of this provider I called on a Monday & had a”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was a God sent when”
“Other When we first started with Always Best Care, it was just to have somebody come”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had to downsize due to an unexpected illness and Always Best Care (ABC) stepped in to make this possible. Kind, compassion, pleasant, friendly, joyful and talented professionals comprise those providing this service. I literally couldn’t have lived for at my assisted living since I had so many hospital visits each week. I didn’t want to go alone to these appointments and this freed my family from needless distress and worry about my wellbeing when they couldn’t be there. I highly recommend ABC since they are an essential component providing excellent and reliable support.”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in law transition into her new home after moving to Raleigh from Winston Salem. She has dialysis 3x a week and they have worked so hard to coordinate a schedule to make sure everything runs smoothly. Sherry continues to amaze me in how she is able to help figure out schedules and provide customer services in a kind and professional manner. We will continue to look to this wonderful service provider as her needs change and feel blessed to have them on site at Atri”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with. He was sincerely concerned about my mom and our family. He is an excellent listener and introduced me to Paige who is equally wonderful. Together they found a great place for my mother in a very short time. Paige was always available to speak on the phone and addressed my questions or concerns. I would recommend using this service for your loved one. Laura B of Raleigh”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed, and things changed constantly. My dad has a chance to live the rest of his life with dignity and my mom has a chance to live a fuller life because of the help we got from Kathryn and this team. They have a great network and valuable knowledge but what observed that makes them invaluable is that they care...and when you are on this situation I found that this is the quality that matters the most. Cannot thank them enough.”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“I'm a beginner with the company. You must be patient when applying and beautiful things will unfold for you. This company has great position offers. Come check them out for yourself! ????”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We are very satisfied with his service and professionalism. He took his time and our requirements and found the perfect place. Highly recommend him and Always Best Care!”
“I contacted Shawn when my mother returned home from the hospital. There are so many options it was confusing for me! Shawn and his team sent me several places to review and then accompanied me to visit independent living facilities. I appreciate the resources and information provided. Shawn, thank you for being focused on our family's needs and sharing your expertise. Your compassion and patience is so very appreciated!”
“Watching your parents age is an emotional experience. My mother has suffered from emphysema since the early 2000s and was diagnosed with dementia in 2018. We've worked with many companies to provide care for her and companionship. Since 2020, as my mother has significantly declined, we've had to make the decision to move her into a facility. For the past three years, Always Best, and more specifically Nancy Newcomer, has provided consistent and quality care for our family. Nancy is always on time, caring, and reliable. We've experienced companies with high turnover and feel blessed to have had Nancy's support for three years. She doesn’t do this solely for a paycheck but also checks on my dad on her days off and genuinely cares. I'd highly recommend this company to help care for your aging loved ones.”
“Other Navigation through the process of finding a Memory Care Facility for my husband. The Owner. Met with my daughter and me. We included my husband. Right away we could hear see and feel this man's compassionate heart. He cared for his own aging family members and can relate. He personally called to check in with us despite the fact that we needed a facility and not home care. Taking it one step further he went on tours with us and we discussed pros and cons without his bias of one over another. Once our loved one was placed this gentleman continued advising at our initiation of calls. He never failed to call back. Highly recommend this man.”
“Phenomenal services providing peace of mind during difficult times when your elderly loved ones need you the most. Highly recommend!”
“I could not be happier with this service. I schedule care in 15 minute or 30 minute visits for 6 visits a day. They make sure that my 96 year old mother takes her meds, walks to meals, they deliver her meals when she is too tired to walk, they water her plants, bathe her, they will help in anyway to provide the best care. Shawn Cothran, the owner, made a personal visit to her room to make sure she had all that she needs. The caregivers; Vera, Jackie, Toni, Elizabeth and many others could not be better. I highly recommend this service.”
“I Love Always Best Care, we have an amazing team and I am lucky to be surrounded by such caring hearts.”
“I am a past client of this provider Staff helped guide and navigate options for my mother. We found a new home for her and the extra attention she is now receiving has given both the family and her comfort and peace of mind. It is a challenging transition and the help was invaluable. Many thanks!”
“I am a past client of this provider ABC caregivers took care of my 93 yr old father from when he came out of the hospital until he passed away 8 months later. The nurse was very fast and efficient and met us at his residence when we arrived from the hospital. Many caregivers were so sweet and careful with him and were helpful to my mother as well. He would be happy to see their smiling faces. They were also very accommodating for schedule and other changes. I would highly recommend them!”
“ABC caregivers took care of my 93 yr old father from when he came out of the hospital until he passed away 8 months later. The nurse was very fast and efficient and met us at his residence when we arrived from the hospital. Many caregivers were so sweet and careful with him and were helpful to my mother as well. He would be happy to see their smiling faces. They were also very accommodating for schedule and other changes. I would highly recommend them!”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by far the best place I've worked our boss and staff are everything.????????????????????????????????????????????????????”
“We recently had to move my Dad from one senior care center to another. It was wonderful to have Paige from Always Best Care make all the appointments and show us different options. She knew all the ins & outs, positives & negatives and was such a huge help in finding him a new place to live! I highly recommend this service to anyone in need of finding a place for their loved one.”
“Oh my goodness! I was at the very bottom of my rope with no where to turn. Almost overnight, my mom went from being totally independent to needing assisted living, and I didn't know where or how to even start. The hospital was breathing down my neck to get her out of there, and I had nowhere to take her. I couldn't provide the care she needed at home. Then a friend sent me a copy of Shawn Cothran's business card. She said he could help. Shawn called me when I was at my lowest point. He offered me hope with the possibility of placement the same day or next for my mom. By that afternoon, we had signed a contract and placed a bed in mom's new home. The next day, she moved in to a very nice, beautiful and caring community. I will be forever grateful to Always Best Care Senior Services and Shawn!!”
“I started with Always Best Care in October of 2018 and they have been fabulous with their flexibility. I have been able to make my own schedule to accommodate other things in my life.”
“Other Nurses aide care my elderly parent receives is excellent. Aides all well trained, caring, professional, and “go the extra mile”. Aides arrive as scheduled and maintain very good communication with the family. Owner goes out of her way to respond to requests in timely fashion. We recommend this agency strongly to friends who have parents who need care. What a blessing ABC has been to our parent and entire family. A model of what quality care looks like!”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best went above and beyond to help us navigate a family crisis, and we literally could not have done it without them. Everyone we worked with was caring, patient and responsive.”
“I am a current client of this provider I called on a Monday & had a care giver on Tuesday. The caregivers are always on time. Asking if there are any changes to the schedule. They fix her lunch every day and do the dishes. Amy is very attentive to my mother. She ensures she does her exercises like she is supposed to a d even does then with her. The care they give has greatly reduced my stress.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was a God sent when my Mother broke her hip at 99 years old about 4 years ago. They provided 24 hour care at her place while we were getting our home ready for her to come and live with us. My wife and I both worked and needed a care service that we trusted to come into our house and not only provide excellent care for our loved one, but also treaded our home with respect. And Stephine's angels at Always Best Care were the answer to our prayers. Caregivers Cheryle and Mellissa provided a loving service that I believe extended my mother's life to 103, with the one on one care that you get in a comfortable home environment, rather than a group care that you get at at a nursing facility . We will always be grateful to Always Best Care.”
“Other When we first started with Always Best Care, it was just to have somebody come visit mom once a week at assisted-living they care whatever needed to be done, going with her on errands and so on. They were great. Their support really became important, however, when mom fractured her pelvis. I texted Sanjay, the CEO and they were at the hospital with CMTs as soon as she got her room. That was important, because mom was not entirely aware that she had fractured her pelvis, would keep trying to get up, and the hospital had not yet resourced a sitter. They also provided in room sitter services for mom when she was in rehab, at a facility they helped us down-select to. Then, when she was released from rehab, they helped locate a micro-community that provided Mom with the extra support she needed, after discussing the issues we needed to work through via conference call when there was more than could be managed via txt or email. I live out of state, so we could not have done this without them. Sanjay and team really care about the patient, and were always available. They have my highest recommendation. -WRJ, Raleigh NC”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Ocean Front Park and Pavilion with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Freddie's Restaurant or visit 1921 Fort Fisher Monument, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Kure Beach, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Kure Beach, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Kure Beach, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Governor Roy Cooper will tour the damage left behind by a system that recently moved through.It's described as an event that happens only once every thousand years. According to rainfall totals, New Hanover County received 18.32 inches of rain from Monday midnight to Monday afternoon."It just came down unbelievably fast," said resident and business owner Jeff Clemens. "It was way worse than Florence."Clemens owns a business on the boardwalk and spent part of the day asse...
CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Governor Roy Cooper will tour the damage left behind by a system that recently moved through.
It's described as an event that happens only once every thousand years. According to rainfall totals, New Hanover County received 18.32 inches of rain from Monday midnight to Monday afternoon.
"It just came down unbelievably fast," said resident and business owner Jeff Clemens. "It was way worse than Florence."
Clemens owns a business on the boardwalk and spent part of the day assessing the damage in town.
"It was terrible. I've never seen it like this," he said.
New Hanover County is under a state of emergency as towns such as Carolina Beach and Kure Beach are repairing the damage that the unnamed storm brought onshore.
According to Carolina Beach Mayor Lynn Barbee, there were 115 rescues on Monday. Fourteen were animal rescues. Barbee said town officials would review the damage assessments to determine what steps would be taken for cleanup. Barbee said a decision on debris cleanup will be made Tuesday evening or Wednesday once the extent of the damage is known.
ALSO SEE | Scattered rain, isolated storms Tuesday as low moves into western NC
On Tuesday, local municipalities also met with Gov. Roy Cooper's office to assess the need for state assistance.
"Yesterday's weather system reinforces why we prepare for the worst impacts of a storm and do not focus on the category or whether it is a named system," said Cooper in a news release. "As we move into today, please be safe as there are many roadways impacted and unsafe conditions persisting around the state. Check on your neighbors, do not drive through flooded areas, and do not let your guard down, as additional rainfall is expected through the afternoon."
Meanwhile, Carolina Beach resident Mike Bahr had his garage flooded. Bahr and his wife relocated from New Jersey to Carolina Beach several years ago.
The pair spent their day assessing what items were salvageable and which articles would have to be thrown out.
""Basically we just pulled everything out so we can just kind of clean up. Anything that I want to spray for mold," Bahr said. He pointed at the water line in his garage to distinguish the difference between Monday and Tuesday. "I measured that. It was 15 inches."
ALSO SEE | Man fishing in NC rescued an hour after falling out of boat 30 miles from shore
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper and state emergency response leaders continue to respond to hazardous weather impacting the state and are beginning the damage assessment process for communities impacted by the storm. State Highway Patrol and Transportation Officials are also working to respond to road closures and reports of damage Areas of southeastern North Carolina experienced historical rainfall resulting in flooding, damage to roadways, and hazardous conditions. Carolina Beach, NC received a reported 18.32” of rainfa...
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper and state emergency response leaders continue to respond to hazardous weather impacting the state and are beginning the damage assessment process for communities impacted by the storm. State Highway Patrol and Transportation Officials are also working to respond to road closures and reports of damage Areas of southeastern North Carolina experienced historical rainfall resulting in flooding, damage to roadways, and hazardous conditions. Carolina Beach, NC received a reported 18.32” of rainfall from midnight yesterday to yesterday afternoon.
“Yesterday’s weather system reinforces why we prepare for the worst impacts of a storm and do not focus on the category or whether it is a named system,” said Governor Cooper. “As we move into today, please be safe as there are many roadways impacted and unsafe conditions persisting around the state. Check on your neighbors, do not drive through flooded areas and do not let your guard down, as additional rainfall is expected through the afternoon.”
Brunswick County declared a State of Emergency along with the municipalities of Boiling Springs Lakes, Oak Island, Southport, Saint James, Sandy Creek, Bolivia, Bald Head Island and Varnamtown. Shelters in Brunswick County have been opened at South Brunswick Middle School and Bolivia Elementary School. In neighboring New Hanover County, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach have declared a State of Emergency and yesterday, the American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents in Carolina Beach at the Pleasure Island Recreation Center, who were subsequently moved to a local hotel for the night.
North Carolinians can visit DriveNC.Gov for the latest roadway conditions from the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT). As of this morning, there are roughly 45 roadways across the state that are closed due to impacts from this storm system. This includes parts of U.S. 17, N.C. 211, and U.S. 74. Twenty-seven of those were in Highway Division 3, which is the Wilmington area and includes Sampson, Duplin, Brunswick, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender counties. Do not drive through standing or moving water. It does not take much water to cause a vehicle to lose control or float.
“North Carolina Emergency Management is continuing to support the impacted communities across our state, especially in Brunswick and New Hanover Counties, to ensure that any needs are met. A part of this support will include an assessment of damages when safe to do so that will help to inform recovery efforts as quickly as possible,” said Emergency Management Director Will Ray. “North Carolinians should remain vigilant as we go through the day as additional rainfall is possible, flooding can occur, and damage from yesterday could create hazardous driving conditions.”
The State Emergency Operations Center is currently activated and monitoring the storm since late last week, with regular communication occurring with local, state, and tribal partners. Two High Clearance Vehicles were mobilized from Pender County to assist crews in Brunswick County yesterday and remain on the scene today. North Carolina Search and Rescue Taskforce 11 from New Hanover County has moved to neighboring Brunswick County to assist with any water rescue needs and pallets of water are being shipped to Brunswick County this morning.
More than 18 inches of rain fell across parts of the Wilmington area Monday, surprising both local officials and residents0:010:49The storm, hovering off the coast, wasn't supposed to be this bad. It wasn't even strong enough for the National Hurricane Center to give it a name, and Sunday night some local officials decided it was safe enough to send students to school.But only a few hours into Monday, it quickly became apparent that this wasn't just a typical unnamed summer weather system. Floodwaters washed aw...
The storm, hovering off the coast, wasn't supposed to be this bad. It wasn't even strong enough for the National Hurricane Center to give it a name, and Sunday night some local officials decided it was safe enough to send students to school.
But only a few hours into Monday, it quickly became apparent that this wasn't just a typical unnamed summer weather system. Floodwaters washed away roads, surged into homes, stranded driver for hours, and prompted water rescues in several communities in New Hanover and Brunswick counties.
Jamie Johnson, who lives in Carolina Beach and owns Coharie Coastal Boutique on North Lake Boulevard, said she's never seen flooding of the kind that swamped the town Monday.
"None of us have," Johnson said. "We were in the streets looking at each other like, 'What the heck is going on?'"
More:Must-see photos and video of tropical weather in the Wilmington area
Rainfall of more than 18 inches in a single day was reported in parts of Carolina Beach, a once-in-1,000-year rainfall event, according to the National Weather Service's Wilmington office. The result was flooded homes and businesses and dozens of emergency calls for help from stranded residents and motorists.
Across the Cape Fear River, raging floodwaters washed away roads and bridges around Southport, isolating the Brunswick County coastal town. A few miles north, flooding left U.S. 17 − the county's main east-west artery − and other roads in central parts of the county impassable, stranding hundreds of motorists for hours.
Pleasure Island in New Hanover County, home to Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, saw some of the region's worst flooding.
Pictures and videos of floodwaters showing whole neighborhoods inundated and lakes and drainage canals swallowing streets and homes were flashed around the country, prompting questions of how this could happen from a storm that was barely on anyone's radar.
More:Historic rainfall collapses roads, floods homes in the Wilmington area
"During my 50-plus years here I've seen a lot of hurricanes but I've never seen rain and flooding like this," said Carolina Beach Mayor Lynn Barbee Tuesday morning. "So yes, this is the worst I’ve seen, and I'm hearing that from a lot of Carolina Beach veterans."
The mayor added that many people appeared to be caught off guard by the storm's ferocity − a situation that might prompt a rethink of how we prepare for storm's as seemingly benign as an unnamed low-pressure system off the coast.
"I think because it was unnamed, it set us all at ease," Barbee said, noting town officials were prepared to deal with several inches of rain − just not 18. "That might have to change."
Experts said Monday's extreme rainfall is another stark reminder that it doesn’t take a named storm to trigger extremely dangerous conditions, something that’s becoming more common as the planet warms due to climate change.
“We saw tropical storm-force winds, but there was no defined center of circulation,” said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva in a release. “This is yet another reminder that slow-moving tropical systems that are not officially named can still create dangerous and even deadly impacts.”
For many Carolina Beach restaurants and businesses, the flooding will have a lasting impact.
Two Veggie Wagon employees went to the Carolina Beach location on South Lake Park Boulevard early Monday morning to assess how things were going.
At first, things seemed to be fine, said owner Max Sussman, who was out of town but began seeing videos of the slow-moving disaster playing out and water creeping into his building. Soon after, a flash-flooding event inundated the market and carried away the employees' cars.
That led the employees to shelter on the check-out counter as they waited to be rescued. Sussman said they were champions, and eventually made it to the roof of the building to wait for help from emergency crews busy rescuing other people from around the water-logged beach town.
While now facing a long rebuilding process, Sussman like several other business owners said he's not throwing in the towel.
“There will be a lot of hard work. But we’ve been here before,” he said. “Hurricane Florence gave us Veggie Wagon 2.0. Now, April (Sussman) and I are already thinking about ideas for Veggie Wagon 3.0.”
Johnson, owner of Coharie, echoed the sentiment.
"I'll lose money," she said, adding that she didn't have flood insurance on her boutique shop, "but at least nobody got hurt. That's the important thing."
Reporters John Staton and Allison Ballard contributed to this story.
Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at [email protected] or @GarethMcGrathSN on X/Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from the Green South Foundation and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work.
.
Danny McLaughlin will have to make a new mark on the wall behind the door of his Fat Pelican bar in Carolina Beach to note the storm that left more than two feet of water inside on Monday.It will go along with Fran, Floyd, Bertha and the others he’s had to clean up after in more than 30 years of business.The funny thing is, this storm had no name. It didn’t qualify as a tropical storm and it was forecast to drop less than half a foot of rain across southeastern North Carolina, not the 18-plus inches that landed in s...
Danny McLaughlin will have to make a new mark on the wall behind the door of his Fat Pelican bar in Carolina Beach to note the storm that left more than two feet of water inside on Monday.
It will go along with Fran, Floyd, Bertha and the others he’s had to clean up after in more than 30 years of business.
The funny thing is, this storm had no name. It didn’t qualify as a tropical storm and it was forecast to drop less than half a foot of rain across southeastern North Carolina, not the 18-plus inches that landed in some local rain gauges.
“No one knew it was going to be this bad,” McLaughlin said, pushing muddy water across the floor. “Nobody knew.”
Pleasure Island — the marketing name for the island where Carolina Beach and Kure Beach sit— along with the town of Southport, on the other side of the Cape Fear River, got the heaviest rainfall from the low-pressure system that never met the structural qualifications of a tropical storm.
It wasn’t clear by midday Tuesday how many structures were flooded, and the water was still draining off. Lake Park Boulevard remained underwater, flooded by Carolina Lake. The lake is normally the 11-acre center of a town park with a greenway around it.
“It was a mess yesterday,” said Larry Denning, dockmaster of the municipal marina in Carolina Beach. Some people had to be rescued by boat, and many were evacuated to town hall, along with their pets.
“We had dogs and cats and everything in town hall yesterday,” said Denning, who has lived here for seven years. “I’ve never really seen it as bad as it was.”
Though there were 50-mph wind gusts at the height of the storm, the worst damage came from the water, which rose quickly and engulfed cars and the ground floors of buildings in low-lying areas across the island.
But it wasn’t as bad as it could have been; current building codes require new structures to be built above flood level, and in recent years many of the island’s older homes in flood zones have been elevated to meet those standards.
Bryan Sartin’s business, Pleasure Island Rentals, which offers bikes, beach chairs and umbrellas, is housed in an older building on a concrete slab in downtown Carolina Beach. When the water comes up, it comes inside.
“It is what it is,” he said Tuesday, manning a push broom to shove he water back outside. “We’ll dry out and keep rolling.
“We live at the beach,” he said with a smile. “I’ll take it. It’s still better than living anywhere else.”
Down the road in Kure Beach, Shanda Rickert carried her belongings one armload at a time from a rented ground floor apartment onto the driveway to dry in the healing afternoon sun. She was visiting a friend out of state on Monday when neighbors started sending photos and videos of the water coming closer and closer to her door, then slipping inside.
Before it was over, everything touching the floor and up three feet was wet: books and bookcases, her sofa, her bed, her grandmother’s cedar chest and her childhood photo album that had been stored inside.
“It’s crazy when you see it happen on TV, but when it happens to you it’s a whole different feeling,” Rickert said.
Water still stood at the end of her street, an overflowing retention pond. Other neighbors were hauling belongings outside, too, and their homes hummed with the sound of industrial fans.
This story was originally published September 17, 2024, 2:33 PM.
The News & Observer
Martha Quillin is a general assignment reporter at The News & Observer who writes about North Carolina culture, religion and social issues. She has held jobs throughout the newsroom since 1987.
919-554-2223
